12/13/12 11:59 AM EST

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) appointed Edwards to oversee recruiting for House Democrats and Waltz to manage the Frontline Program, which provides support for vulnerable incumbents.

In a press conference, Israel trumpeted the announcements as part of a “running start” Democrats had at the outset of the 2014 cycle. The New York Democrat said preparations for the next election began immediately after the dust from the 2012 races began to settle. After netting eight seats in 2012, Democrats are 17 seats short of the House majority.

Other members receiving leadership positions at the DCCC include Colorado Rep. Jared Polis, who will oversee candidate services, and Pennsylvania Rep. Allyson Schwartz, who will assume the title of National Finance chair.

Israel said the committee’s focus has been on early recruitment efforts and reaching out to potential candidates. On Thursday, the DCCC held its second recruitment meeting at party headquarters.

He also said the organization was reviewing why the party fell short in 2012.

“We have started looking at what we can do better and applying it to how we move forward,” he said.